SPAWN Market Update – August 2005

WPN Market Update – August, 2005

By Patricia L. Fry

Going, Going, Gone – 5 magazines and a writers’ Web site
Here’s What’s New – 14 new and changing markets
Industry Trends – It was a record year for authors/publishers
Warnings – VendorPro and Writer Beware
Opportunities for Writers – New opportunities with old mags; plus 16 reprint markets and 5 good fiction markets
Opportunities for Authors – 1027 publishers for $15/write for Star Trek
Opportunities for Poets – 16 places to publish your poetry
Book Promotion Opportunities – BookConnector and AuthorsandExperts
Opportunities for Artists/Photographers – 5 great markets for art and photos
Guest Interviews – Meet a prolific male romance writer and the head of a printing company extraordinaire.
Going, Going, Gone
Moody Magazine
ASPCA Animal Watch
Paste Magazine
Fierce
Ink Pot
Here’s What’s New
Writer’s Market
Caring Today
New Dog-related Magazines
Whole Dog Journal
City Dog Magazine
Fetch the Paper
WAG Magazine
New Canadian Magazines
Our Canada
Legends
Readers Digest Canada
Changes
Diablo Magazine has a new email address. D-mail@maildiablo.com. Contact Susan Dowdney Safipour. This is a regional magazine for the East Bay area in CA. http://www.diablomag.com
University Publishing Company has a new address: 1134-A 28th St., Richmond, CA 94804.
These Publishers/Magazines No Longer Accept Submissions
Aslan Publishing is not accepting manuscripts until further notice. If you have a self-help or inspirational manuscript ready to go, you might want to check their Web site periodically and be among the first to submit something once they open the gates. http://www.aslanpublishing.com
Charles Mills, editor at Vibrant Life Magazine says they are not accepting any new submissions (even queries) for the next few months. If you enjoy writing for Vibrant Life, keep checking back to see if their message has changed. http://www.vibrantlife.com/vl/writers.html
 I reported some months ago that Stylewriter, Inc. Publishing wouldn’t be accepting submissions until July of 2005. Well, guess what? They are still not accepting submissions. http://www.swinc.org
Industry Trends
A Record Year for Authors and Publishers
For those of you who haven’t read PMA’s latest newsletter or who haven’t visited RR Bowker’s site, lately, here are some interesting statistics. There were a record number of new titles published in 2004—195,000 titles published by 81,000 publishers. There were 11,000 new publishers purchasing ISBN blocks in ’04. There are always a few surprises when the annual statistics are reported. This year the big news relates to fiction. There was a 43 percent increase in the publication of adult fiction titles. There were also more home economic, religious and travel books published. The largest decline occurred in education, history, science and language titles. Read the entire press release at http://www.bookwire.com.
 
Warnings
WPNers Come to the Aid of a Member
While most writers were on vacation last month or toiling in a mundane job, WPN members reached out and helped a colleague avoid a potentially costly mistake.
A few weeks ago, there was an inquiry posted at WPNDiscuss about a company named VendorPro. Maybe you’ve received some of their bulk email offers to sell your book on their site. One member found this spam in her email box and wondered, “Is this a legitimate offer from a legitimate company?” Before plunking down any cash, she consulted the experts (members) at WPNDiscuss. One fellow member admitted to having signed up with VendorPro and said that he hasn’t received even one order for his book. Another member took the time to share a link to Angela Hoy’s Writer’s Weekly Whispers and Warnings page where participants had been discussing their experiences with VendorPro. Please, do not sign up with VendorPro without reading this post. http://forums.writersweekly.com/viewtopic.php?t=3378. I suggest bookmarking Angela’s Whispers and Warnings site for future reference.
Here’s Another Warning Site
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America also post warnings for writers at http://www.writerbeware.org. There’s even a section on legal recourses for a writer who gets caught in a scam.
Opportunities for Writers
Resubmit Articles With New Hope
Change can be a good thing for a freelance writer or an author who has been rejected by a particular magazine or publishing house. Staff changes often mean a window of opportunity for writers. While the former editor may have disliked your style or your suggested topics, a new one might be thrilled with your offerings. The changes I reported previously—Meredith’s purchase of several Gruner and Jahr periodicals—could mean publishing success for you. How? I understand that there have been at least 75 staff changes in recent weeks at such acquisitions as Family Circle, Child and Parents. If your wonderful article ideas have been vetoed by the former editors of these magazines, submit them again, cross your fingers and hope for a new, more positive decision.
Increase Your Paycheck through Reprints
Reprints are the bread and butter for many professional freelancers. But not all magazines publish reprints. Recently, I did a quick mini-study of mags that use reprints and came up with 44 of them. Reprints provide great money-making opportunities. Why? Because the article is already written. All you have to do is submit it. While some magazines pay a percentage of their usual fee for original articles, others pay full price. But wait! Before offering a reprint for publication, be sure that you own the rights. Make sure that when you sold it the first time, you sold first or one-time rights. If you sell all rights, the article is no longer yours to sell. Here are a few magazines that seek appropriate reprints:
Greyhound Review, Art Calendar, Plane and Pilot, Oregon Quarterly, American Baby, Living Safely (Canada), Yes (pays $100 per page), Guide (a gay and lesbian magazine), Harpers, East End Lights, Fitness Magazine, Careers and Disabled, Utne, Common Ground, Heartland USA and Western New York Family. All of these publications are listed in the 2005 edition of Writer’s Market. Are you looking for a good fiction market? Consider submitting your stories to Woman’s World Magazine. They publish short stories and romance pieces of 1,100 words and mini-mysteries of 1,000 words. Pay is from $500 to $1,000. Contact Johnene Granger at Woman’s World, 270 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632. Request their submission guidelines.
The Atlantic Monthly
Harper’s Magazine
Hemispheres
Esquire
Opportunities for Poets
The other day, when I was in research mode for my own work, I decided to do double duty and conduct some research for you. The topic: Poetry. How many publishers of poetry could I find? Is it really difficult to get your poetry published? Those of you with research skills will say “no” and those without will continue to complain that there are no outlets for good poetry these days.
I located 53 publishers interested in producing books of poetry and 25 magazines that publish poetry during just a few minutes of research. Here are a few examples of magazines that publish poetry:
Alive Now
First Things
The Sun
Jewish Action
Art Times
Even specialty magazines like Rocky Mountain Rider use poetry. If you have written a poem related to horseback riding or Montana, it may be a fit. Check their guidelines at http://www.rockymountainrider.com.
Here’s a partial list of publishers that publish poetry books: Bear Star Press, FYOS Entertainment, Oberlin College Press, Boyd Mills, Coffee House Press, Down the Shore, Lost Horse, University of Scranton, Sheep Meadow Press and Turtle Books. Here again, not every publisher is interested in the same type of poetry, so study submission guidelines.
Opportunities for Authors
http://www.book-publishing-companies.com lists 1,027 publishers seeking new submissions. But to access them it will cost you $15. This seems reasonable to me. Also, they are looking for new publishers to list. Send them your recommendations.
For Trekkies
Would you like want to write a Star Trek novel? Can you write exciting science fiction stories of 400 ms. pages featuring Star Trek characters? If so, this post might be for you. But beware—according to their disclaimer, Star Trek is owned by Paramount Pictures and any work submitted to this company must be surrendered lock stock and barrel to them. So what do you get out of it? Hopefully, a paycheck and a byline. You’ll find submission guidelines at http://www.simonsays.com/content/feature.cfm?sid=44&feature_id=439. They’re a little vague on the issue or ownership. If you can’t get clarity at the site, contact them at: Submissions Editor, Star Trek Editorial Dept. Pocket Books, 13th Fl, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
Book Promotion Opportunities
BookConnector.com provides FREE access to signing and reading venues for authors. Check them out at http://www.bookconnector.com. Yes, I said FREE!
AuthorsandExperts.com, at http://www.authorsandexperts.com, provides authors a listing at their Web site for a fee. You are considered an expert on the topic of your book. For a fee of $99 for 6 months or $149/year, you can list your expertise at this site in case someone comes there seeking an expert to interview or to hire. If your book is something that would fly well in schools, check out http://www.schoolbookings.com. Again, I suggest, buyer beware. Remember, just because you are listed somewhere and that site draws a big crowd, doesn’t mean that they will find you or that those folks are interested in what you have to promote. Check out the site. Get more information about their services. Ask for references and pursue them. Use common sense. If your expertise is real estate, World War II memorabilia or writing, for example, you might be noticed. If, on the other hand, your expertise is in something remote such as the mating of Indian elephants or the life cycle of the gnat, this may not be the venue for you. I must say that the folks at AuthorsandExperts certainly have an impressive list of media that are seeking experts. The list includes, Tradeshow Week Magazine, Family Digest, Midwestern Broadcasting Co, WBMI Radio, The Wright Place TV show and over 250 others.
Opportunities for Artists and Photographers
Son and Foe
Utne
Legends
Fetch the Paper Magazine
WAG Magazine
Guest Interviews
I met this prolific, full-time author of romance and science fiction novels this morning via IM. He contacted me to ask a few questions about my program slated for the Write4Hope Writers’ Conference in Simi Valley in October. I found him so interesting that I asked if I could conduct an interview with him on the spot. Here’s the result of that impulse: An interview with Rod Casteel who writes books for Ellora’s Cave Publishing.
Q: Tell us a little about your writing work. What do you write? What have you published?
 
A. I write adult romance for Ellora’s Cave Publishing. My 8th book, titled Cherry Hill, is a ghost story and is in final edits at this time. Published work: Crimson Rose, a contemporary; Texas Thunder, contemporary; Taneika Daughter of the Wolf, paranormal; Mistress of Table Rock, science fiction; Toymaker, historical fantasy Anthology-Twelve Quickies of Christmas Vol 1: Tail of the Tiger, science fiction, Anthology-Ellora’s Cave Tales from the Temple Vol 1: Shadow Time Lover, historical paranormal, Anthology Forever Midnight.
 
Q: How did you get started as a writer? What motivates you to write?
 
A: My first attempt at writing started from a recurring dream. Not sure what prompted me to write it out. Maybe I thought if I wrote it out, it would go away? Twenty-five thousand words later I had a very crude, rough first-draft of Texas Thunder.
 
As for what motivates me to write…I think it’s watching the story unfold on the screen for the first time. Wanting to turn the next page and go, “Oh! Wow!” with surprise as the next scene reveals itself.
 
Q: You write in a variety of genres, but romance is the genre that surprises me. Isn’t it a little unusual for a man to write romance novels? How did this come about?
 
A: There have been a number of male romance writers over the years. Many have hidden the fact by writing under female names, or had names that were perceived as female. Although I decided to use only my initial, I’ve not hidden behind it. I have my picture posted on the net and corrected those who assume otherwise. The number of men writing romance is growing. I was the first male published with Ellora’s Cave in 2002. They now have six male authors.
 
I’ve been an active reader for years. While a like a good western, or action/adventure novel, I also like books that delve deeper into the characters and have happy endings. I feel the wide genres of romance deliver this. I guess it was just natural to lean my writing in this direction.
 
Q: Women are the primary consumer for romance novels–do they buy romance written by men?
 
A: I suppose they are, but the number of male readers is growing. Many have been reading for years and are coming out of the closet, at least among other romance readers. Yes, I can say with certainty that women do read romances written by men.
 
Q: Tell us about your first publishing experience. Did it take you long to find a publisher? What was the process like for you?
 
A: With much help from some dear ladies on the Internet who took pity on me I had finished my first book, Texas Thunder, and put it away with no intentions of writing another. About two months went by when out of nowhere, while driving, the idea of Crimson Rose hit me. By the time I got home, the first chapter was written in my head. Five weeks later, four of those without a computer, all but one chapter was in rough draft. After it was edited and reedited I started sending it out to publishers in New York. During the waiting period, I started my third book, Taneika Daughter of the Wolf and had joined an online critique group. One of the ladies was published and sent what I had done, five pages, to her editor. They contacted me, I sent them Crimson Rose and as they say, the rest is history.
 
Q: What do you do to promote your books?
 
A: Attend online chats, conferences, book-signings, get reviews, and do interviews like this one.
 
Q: What is your most successful method of promotion?
 
A: I don’t think you can point to any one method. I feel it’s a combination of all, plus a willingness to meet people and talk about your passion for writing.
 
Q: I’m interested in your schedule—you say you have 8 books published—how do you manage your day related to promoting your books and writing the next bestseller?
 
A: Good question. I write full time, or try to. My normal day starts at 4 a.m., that’s in the morning long before the sun comes up. When the story is flowing, I write. If it’s not, or life throws in a foul ball, I don’t get all flustered because I know sooner or later, it will come back.
 
Q: What would you advise authors who dream of publishing their novel?
 
A: Learn the mechanics of writing. Find your own voice, don’t try to be someone you are not. Find what works for you, stay with it and don’t quit. Lastly, I understand that most writers can’t quit their day job and write full time, at least starting out, but is writing a strong enough passion that if you could, would you?
 
Q: What do you feel is your best asset when it comes to being a novelist?
 
A: A vivid imagination, a willingness to take criticism, and to be willing to admit that I don’t know all the answers.
 
Q: Please tell us how to find your books and add anything you would like.
 
A: My website is http://www.rcasteel.net. My publisher’s website is http://www.ellorascave.com. My books can be found in most major book stores, online for electronic download through my publisher, or for autographed books, send a money order to:
Rod Casteel
Liberty Corner Books
R1 Box 21
Lancaster, MO 63548
 
Second Guest Interview
Earlier this month, Ron Pramschufer of RJ Communications, emailed me asking permission to reprint my article about writing a how-to book first. As I do anytime someone requests permission to reprint one of my articles, I checked out his Web site at http://www.booksjustbooks.com. Ron is a printer, but he and his staff provide other services for authors, as well. He also offers a lot of free information for authors and those interested in self-publishing at http://www.publishingbasics.com. I’m providing this information as a service, not necessarily as an endorsement. I have not done business with RJ Communications, so I cannot vouch for them at a business level. The premise of their company was of interest to me, however, and I wanted to share what I learned from Ron. Here’s our interview:
Q: I’ve studied your site and it seems unique. As I understand it, you are a printer who offers additional services. Is this correct? Please tell us a little about the concept of your business.
A: The concept of our company is to be a sort of “Home Depot” to the self-publisher. If you are putting a new kitchen in your house, for a hefty fee, you can hire a general contractor who works with the plumbers, electricians, cabinetmakers, etc or… you can be your own contractor and save a lot of money. For authors who are serious about self-publishing, we offer all the services needed to successfully publish a book. With few exceptions, all of our services are available on an “A La Carte” basis. We want people to use our printing service but beyond that, the author is free to use our complementary services or someone else’s.
 
The printing service is our core business. The concept behind that is simple. I am a printer by trade. Having been in the business for over 30 years, I know that printers really only want to print. If they could keep the presses busy with one customer, they would. Knowing this, I approached a group of printers and asked the question, “Would you rather have one customer with one thousand jobs or a thousand customers with one job each?” The answer was the obvious one. My proposal to them was that I would handle the “customers” in exchange for them giving me printing pricing that I could resell below the cost they would sell the individual publisher direct. As a result, I can compete against any printer in the country. The customer is happy because they are getting a good product for a good price and the printer is happy because he doesn’t have to deal with a bunch of pesky customers. He only has to print (which is all he wanted to do in the first place). Since we started we have printed over 105 million copies of titles in quantities starting as low as 100.
Q: When someone sends you a printing project, you do only printing—you do not put your publishing company name on the book?
A: The printing services department of our company is just that. Whether or not the author wants to give us credit for doing the printing, which is always nice, it is totally up to them. We can compete against any printer in North America due to the tremendous volume of printing we control. We have printed over 105 million books in quantities ranging from 100 to 250,000. I tell everyone I deal with that, “You will never sell the books faster than I can print them” so you don’t have to worry about “outgrowing” my service.
 
Q: What are some of the other services you offer a self-published author?
A: Early on we realized that it didn’t do much good to save the author money on the printing side, just to have some other supplier in the publishing services sector empty his pocket before the author’s ultimate goal was reached. We currently offer an editorial analysis service, where for $149, the author’s manuscript gets read and evaluated as to its market worthiness as well as its editorial correctness. Normally some level of editorial service is suggested based on the supplied manuscript. If the author chooses to use the suggested service, the $149 can be applied against the editing bought. Editorial services are quoted in an easy to understand “per word” price of between one cent and three to three and a half cents depending upon the amount of work needed. We also offer complete, affordable design and layout services through our Budget Book Design division. Once the book is printed, we offer a series of marketing service from press releases to discount inclusion in the Ingram Database as well as Amazon and BN.com. We also develop and host websites for authors. This service runs from an inexpensive, sub-domain template website of our http://www.JustBookz.com bookstore to stand alone, database driven websites. Services we don’t offer directly to the author, we offer links via our “Publishing Related Sites” section of the website. Sites included in this directory are there because we feel they offer “value” to our customers. They do not pay to be there. If I hear anything bad about any of the outside services, they are instantly deleted from the directory.
 
Q: What prompted you to decide to offer information and services for the self-published author?
A: The two traits that all first time author/self-publishers seem to share are their naiveté and a certain innocence. Unfortunately the world is full of companies ready, willing and able to take advantage of these. Remember, I started strictly as a printing service. It was only after listening to “war stories” from author after author who had been taken advantage of by various online scam artists did I decide to jump “full force” into the self-publishing services market. I saw very few people and organizations out there trying to be a true advocate to the author, not just take his money. The Vanity Press business was funded by huge venture capital organizations. This new breed of Vanity Press had somehow convinced even the media that cheating thousands of people out of hundreds of dollars was somehow different from cheating hundreds of people out of thousands of dollars. Meanwhile these naive authors lined up by the thousands like lambs to the Vanity Press slaughter. We try to counter this with education. The Publishing Basics – A Guide for the Small Press and Independent Self-Publisher book was a start. Over 25,000 copies of this title have been distributed to authors all over the country. The Publishing Basics Newsletter (http://www.publishingBasics.com) goes out monthly to over 25,000 subscribers. The articles in the newsletter are all focused on educating the self-publisher. The most recent addition to the education process has been Publishing Basics Radio (http://www.WBJBRadio.com). This weekly podcast radio show focuses on opening the eyes and minds of the author to the real publishing process, not the make-believe world of the Vanity Press. Knowledge IS Power. Ignorance is NOT bliss. The more I can educate the would-be self-publisher to the publishing process, the clearer the choice to use some or all of my services becomes.
Q: What is the most popular service you provide for authors? Distribution?
A: Our Thor Distribution program is quite popular. Thor is simply Lightning Source at a discount. For $49 plus $19.95/year, an author can get their title included into the Ingram database as well as Baker & Taylor, Amazon and BN.com. The beauty of this program is it is not sold as “The” distribution solution, just “a” solution. It’s sold as “Pennies from Heaven”, not some brilliant “end all” marketing plan. Most authors make their investment back and many actually make enough money to get 1099’s at the end of the year.
 
Q: I notice that you distribute to bookstores. How does that work? Do you purchase shelf space at bookstores? Do you distribute just to independent bookstores? What is the process you use to get books into bookstores?
A: The reality of self-publishing is that 99% of the successful self-publishers are without any major presence in bookstores. The last thing a small publisher/author needs is a 20,000 book order from Barnes & Noble. BN has no problem returning 19,500 unsold copies of these books not long after you have taken the second mortgage on your house to pay the printer. The goal of Thor program is to get people’s minds off the bookstores and onto non-bookstore sales. We work closely with Brian Judd from Book Marketing Works on pointing people towards the lucrative non-bookstore market. We do, however, have one new program that is in a Beta test form right now where we distribute books through hundreds of street vendors on the streets of New York. Books that have been successfully marketed in this manner have typically sold upwards of 10,000 copies. We also have a program we are working on at the Independent bookstore level where we actually rent shelf space from the bookstore and place our books on the shelf on a fee + percentage of the sale basis. I’ll keep you posted as we get further along.
Q: Tell us more about your radio program.
A: The podcast is the latest “buzz” out there on the Internet. I talk to dozens of people daily. I have been in the printing and publishing business for over 30 years and love to teach people about the business. To me, the podcast is an extension of my telephone other than I can now talk to an unlimited number of interested people at one time. As a bonus, unlike regular broadcast radio, a podcast can be listened to at any time and any place. I could have a syndicated show on network radio and I do not have the same potential access to listeners as I do with the Internet podcast. While there are costs involved to do it right, they are minimal compared to the potential marketing value. My next step beyond the podcast will be to weave audio clips throughout my various websites so a person has a choice of reading the answer to a question or listening to an audio discussion on the question.
 
Your recent article suggests that authors try a “How to” book as a first publishing venture. (Ron is referring to my recent article published in the NAWW Newsletter.) The key, of course, is to write a book on a subject on which you are, in fact, an expert. The only difference between “Dr Phil” and the hundred thousand other psychologists is his media exposure which makes him a “recognized expert”. He writes a book and people buy it. Why? Because he’s the expert. Starting a podcast radio show could be the perfect place to start off on the road from “Expert” to “Recognized Expert”.
 
If you’re not ready for a whole podcast show, we work with authors via the Readers Radio Network to record a single interview. That interview is then incorporated into a shopping cart feature where a listener can buy the book any time during the interview. The link to the interview is placed on websites that are related to the subject matter of the book. They call it Nanocasting.
I am starting a “Marketing Tips” segment of the program. The only requirement is going to be that the person has sold through a first printing and has reprinted their book. I would prefer to have done the printing but it is not necessary. I think these “peer to peer” tips will be very popular. I am also very interested in authors who have had serious trouble with either printers, vanity publishers or other services within the industry. The plan is to have a 3rd segment each week which will be consumer “troubleshooter” in nature.
If an author wants to strictly promote their book, they would need to use our Readers Radio program or start a podcast station, which we can also help them produce. There is a fee involved with both of these services.
Q: What are the three biggest mistakes you see new authors make? –
 
A: The three biggest mistakes?

  1. Thinking they are going to “write” and their book will sell itself.
  2. Setting unrealistic sales goals with no real marketing plan to reach them (Printing too many books on the first printing).
  3. Thinking they have a friend who is going to get them on Oprah.

All of these mistakes revolve around not being properly educated to the process. I tell people that my most successful author is not the one who sold two million books but the one who reprinted fifteen times. This person never printed more than 100 copies at a time. She set realistic goals and was able to reach them. If she had printed 5000 books and sold 1500, she would have been considered a failure. By selling 100 books, fifteen times, she is a success. 
 
Q: What is the most valuable piece of advice you can give to a hopeful author?
A: Be Realistic in Your Goals. Everyone who wants to publish should publish but you need to be realistic about what publishing entails. Writing is a love and publishing is a business. If you don’t want to get into the “business” of publishing you should print a hundred copies or so and give them to your friends. There is nothing wrong with that. If you are serious, though, there is no easy way. To be successful in the publishing business requires a lot of hard work. Don’t be fooled by any company who says “it easy”. They are lying.
Q: What are your future plans for your business?
A: I want to continue to expand the business without ever having to compromise the core values. We plan to open an entry level Vanity Press. Vanity Press?? Don’t I spend every waking hour trashing Vanity Presses? The problem that I have with Vanity Presses is their deceptive trade practices. There is nothing wrong with an author paying a fee to be a “Published Author” as long as they know that that is exactly what it is. The service will be very inexpensive and will be solely for the authors who want to see their name in print but don’t want to do the work involved with self-publishing. The name of the new imprint is Westie Press. For the people who are serious about self-publishing we will continue to add programs we feel will help them meet their goals.
 
Q: Please provide your contact information and anything else you would like to add.
A: Ron Pramschufer
RJ Communications
51 East 42nd Street
NY, NY 10017
800-621-2556
ron@rjcom.com
http://www.BooksJustBooks.com
http://www.WBJBRadio.com
needs photographs. Learn more at http://www.mywag.com. Or contact Josh Magness at info@mywag.com.
also holds photo contests. http://www.fetchthepaper.com , is a new Canadian travel magazine that runs regular photo contests. http://www.legendstoronto.ca uses art and photographs. Check copies of the magazine for style and read the guidelines before submitting. I can tell you one thing for sure, they don’t like email submissions. www.utne.com/magazine/submissions.html is a new magazine established just this year and they publish short fiction, poetry, artwork and photos. They are particularly interested in comic strips. They don’t pay much, but this could be a break-in opportunity. Learn more at http://www.sonandfoe.com. Contact Jeremiah Sturgill at sonandfoe@gmail.com.
publishes 30 to 35 poems per year and they must run a maximum of 20 lines. http://www.arttimesjournal.com pays $25 to $75 per poem published. http://www.ou.org. publishes 24 poems each year and pays from $50 to $250. Learn more at http://www.thesunmagazine.org. pays $50 for poetry and uses as many as 25-30 poems per year. http://www.firstthings.com publishes avant-garde and free verse poems of 10 to 45 lines. They prefer reflections for a general Christian audience. Contact Melissa Tidwell at alivenow@upperroom.org publishes novel excerpts and short stories. Writer’s guidelines at http://www.esquire.com. pays 50 cents-word and up for a wide variety of fiction. They prefer 1000-4000-words. Send complete ms. to Lisa Fann or Selby Bateman at hemiedit@aol.com or 1301 Carolina St., Greensboro, NC 27401. uses one short story per issue and they pay 50 cents to $1-word for 3,000-5,000-words. Send your story to Lewis H. Lapham at 666 Broadway, 11th Fl, New York, NY 10012.buys up to a dozen fiction pieces of 2,000 to 6,000-words each year. They prefer literary and contemporary fiction and they’ll pay $3,000 for it. Send your best to C. Michael Curtis at 77 N. Washington St., Boston, MA 02114. 
Good Fiction Markets
isn’t new, but I just found out something that’s new to me. They will publish Canadian writers only. If you are a Canadian writer with a good story (preferably a reprint), consider contacting editors Cynthia Shannon or Ron Starr at editor@readersdigest.ca. http://www.readersdigest.ca. is a new Canadian travel magazine started by 23-year-old Susanna Kislenko. She is also the editor. I don’t see any guidelines posted on their Web site at http://www.legendstoronto.ca. I suggest that you contact Susanna at susanna@legendstoronto.ca and request a copy. is only about a year old and already has a circulation of 250,000. Their submission guidelines are posted at http://www.ourcanada.ca/contribute.php. came out in June of this year for people who pamper their dogs. Query with your ideas using the submission form on their Web site. http://www.mywag.com is a paying market for writers who can produce articles related to pet health, behavior and so forth. This is a regional magazine for dog owners living in the San Francisco area. Contact Pete Alexander with your story ideas. They are willing to pay $40 to $150 for articles of up to 2000-words. View their detailed writers’ guidelines at http://www.fetchthepaper.com. is a new magazine for dog owners living in the northwest. I see no sign that they use freelance material. Their Web site is sparse. But if you like writing about dogs and dog ownership, I suggest checking their Web site periodically for more information directed at freelance writers. http://www.citydogmagazine.com. focuses on natural care and training methods for dogs. Contact editor, Nancy Kerns, at wholedogj@aol.com.http://www.whole-dog-journal.com. I couldn’t find their submission guidelines posted at their site, so I suggest emailing Kerns and requesting a copy. began in 2005 as a quarterly print magazine offering practical advice for family caregivers. They plan 6 issues for 2006. They generally purchase 20-25 articles each year and pay $250 to $1,500 for 800 to 2000 words. They buy all rights, however. I suggest negotiating with them for first rights. Virginia Cargill is the editor. Write to her at Caring Today, 173 Sherman St., Fairfield, CT 06824. Or submit your idea by email using the form at their Web site. http://www.caringtodaymagazine.com. . The 2006 edition of Writer’s Market will be available next month. Order yours now for early delivery. This reference book can be purchased at most bookstores or any number of online bookstores for around $30. is folding.
Writers Success has closed down its Web site and I don’t know if it is permanent or temporary. They’ve been offering visitors access to 400 paying markets at http://www.writerssuccess.netfirms.com. Recently, when I stopped by this site to conduct some research for you, I found a note tacked to their homepage stating, “Web site Cancelled.”